Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia as a Rare Cause of Simultaneous Abducens and Vestibulocochlear Nerve Symptoms: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Xuege Zang,1,* Zheng Feng,2,* Hui Qiao,1 Libo Wang,1 Chao Fu3 1Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Neurosurgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Libo Wang; Chao Fu Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) can lead to cranial nerve symptoms. However, multiple cranial nerve symptoms associated with VBD in one case remain extremely rare. We here present the case of a 33-year-old male with VBD diagnosed by multimodality imaging, who developed simultaneous abducens and vestibulocochlear nerve symptoms and subsequently improved after blood pressure control treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a vascular disorder resulting in simultaneous symptoms of the abducens and vestibulocochlear nerves. This study highlights that such a vascular anomaly should be considered when cranial nerve symptom is encountered, especially when multiple cranial nerves involved. Meanwhile, radiological evaluation of such neurovascular conflict using three-dimensional constructive interference in steady-state imaging is recommended.Keywords: vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia, cranial nerve, abducent nerve, vestibulocochlear nerve, nerve compression syndrome

Keywords

• vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia
• cranial nerve
• abducent nerve
• vestibulocochlear nerve
• nerve compression syndrome